feasibility testing of the "face-forward-web" program for chronic orofacial pain

Conditions: Orofacial Pain; Facial Pain

Summary: the goal of this study is to conduct a feasibility open pilot study (n=up to 20) with exit interviews to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of the study protocol and face-forward-web; a web-based mind-body intervention for adult patients with cop. deliverables: \[1\] adapt and refine open pilot protocol, patient recruitment, and other study materials. \[2\] assess the feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of face-forward-web and optimize the intervention methodology in preparation for a future efficacy study. this research leverages mixed methods information to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of face-forward-web and optimize the intervention and study methodology in preparation for the subsequent pilot study and again later, for a pilot feasibility randomized control trial (rct).

aim: conduct a feasibility open pilot study (n=up to 20) with exit interviews of face-forward-web among adults with various chronic orofacial pain (cop). the ultimate goal of this research is to assess the feasibility, credibility, and acceptability of face-forward-web and optimize the program and study methodology in preparation for a pilot feasibility randomized control trial (rct). face-forward-web, adapted from getactive (a mind-body program for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain), is a mind-body program for cop and consists of 5 on-demand sessions over a web platform, each being approximately 30 minutes long. the program will teach relaxation (deep breething), mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral skills to reduce pain and improve emotional welbeing in patients with cop. at the conclusion of each session, an interactive quiz covering the session's content is given to foster a stronger, and more long term, understanding of the material. throughout the program, encouragements to practice and track the use of face-forward-web skills are disseminated outside and/or between sessions through a variety of means (e.g, text, phone call, email), depending on individual preferenes. home practice materials include web-based audio and video clips (e.g., 5 min mindfulness of pain for cop) but, engagement in self-guided skill practice is also permitted. following program completion, there will be a one-time 15-30 minute exit interview to elicit subject perceptions of face-forward-web and any recommendations to improve intervention quality. this information will be used to further adapt and optimize face-forward-web prior to future efficacy testing. assessments: baseline (0 weeks), post-test (5 weeks), and 3-month follow-up (17 weeks) survey assessments.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. age ≥18 2. english fluency and literacy 3. nonmalignant chronic (\>3 months) orofacial pain 4. ability and willingness to participate in the face-forward web-platform intervention 5. free of concurrent psychotropic medication 2 week prior to participation or stable psychotropic medication dose and type for ≥ 6 weeks 6. pain score ≥4/10 on the numerical rating scale 7. owns (or has easy access to) a device with internet access exclusion criteria: 1. practice of mindfulness \> 45 minutes/week in the past 3 months 2. participation in mind-body or cognitive-behavioral therapy in the past 3 months 3. severe untreated mental health disorder (e.g., psychosis) 4. active suicidal ideation with plan or intent 5. pregnancy

Keywords: chronic orofacial pain facial pain mindfulness web-based delivery